Chapter 8, The Sheep is Greatly Beautiful
Doctor Xue did not wish to die in Lingnan, so he escaped along the way and took refuge in Qiqian Village. This stay lasted for fifteen or sixteen years, during which Doctor Xue developed deep feelings for Qiqian Village and was especially grateful for Li Hu's life-saving grace. Due to his father's misdiagnosis, even though his own medical skills were exceptional, he did not dare to claim that they were inherited from his family. Instead, he claimed to be a true disciple of Sun Simiao to instill confidence in his patients. Of course, Doctor Xue's medical skills were indeed remarkable, saving many lives in the village, so everyone called him Doctor Xue, and they even forgot his original name. Due to his father's misdiagnosis, even though his own medical skills were exceptional, he did not dare to claim that they were inherited from his family. Instead, he claimed to be a true disciple of Sun Simiao to instill confidence in his patients. Of course, Doctor Xue's medical skills were indeed remarkable, saving many lives in the village, so everyone called him Doctor Xue, and they even forgot his original name.
The man holding the tiger staff, without further thought, Li Chongjiu already knew that the other party was the third master of the bandit camp, Xue Shenshi. Xue Shenshi had a lean appearance, graceful demeanor, and three long strands of beard on his face, resembling a celestial being. Of course, the well-presented Xue Shenshi was not merely a facade; it is said that he had received the true teachings of a semi-immortal physician.
Doctor Xue shook his head repeatedly and said, "I am powerless to help with your illness. Aside from my monk from Zhihu Temple... I fear that might be able to... sigh, I have done my best."
Li Hu, seeing the situation, quickly said: "Third brother, after a whole day of traveling through the mountains, you haven't eaten yet, come and have some lamb with us"
At that moment, Doctor Xue could no longer contain himself and forgot to show a stern face to Li Chongjiu, smiling as he said: "Not bad, not bad, the ginseng roots nourish the spleen and lung meridians, replenishing the vital energy. This will be somewhat beneficial for your father's illness"
At that moment, Li Chongjiu served two bowls to Li Hu and Doctor Xue respectively. Doctor Xue praised the dish incessantly, finishing his bowl of mutton soup until it was turned upside down, his complexion slightly flushed. Li Hu was also very pleased; the mutton was fragrant, and primarily, Li Chongjiu's gesture of filial piety made him even happier
Just like in the past when returning home, no matter how late it was, parents would always leave a light on for you in the hall. After passing through a narrow gap in the sky, in front of the mountain village and the empty space by the * picture * book, Li Chongjiu saw, under the dim light, a figure pacing back and forth. The person's hair was gradually turning gray, and their body was somewhat hunched.
Call! Call!
Li Chongjiu said nothing and stepped forward to inquire of the two, saying: "Father, Doctor Xue"
Upon returning to the stronghold that night, Li Chongjiu first carried a leg of lamb to Uncle Zhang's home. Following the customs of the stronghold, Li Chongjiu then delivered a piece of fine meat to the families of those who were either without able-bodied men or had been injured while serving the stronghold. As he made his rounds, the people of Qianqian Stronghold were all smiles, expressing their admiration for the generosity of the young master.
Li Chongjiu understood in his heart that during the time he was severely injured, in order to save his own life, Li Hu had given him three pills that were originally meant for him to prolong his life.
Who is this semi-divine physician? Only Xue, the divine physician, knows that his surname is Sun. Others, in their forced associations, claim that since his surname is Sun and Xue's medical skills are so exceptional, this semi-divine figure must surely be the Medicine King Sun Simiao. However, in reality, Li Hu is well aware of the truth. Xue, the divine physician, has inherited medical skills from his family and is highly skilled; however, during one occasion when his father treated the wife of the county magistrate, he unfortunately misdiagnosed her, leading to her death. As a result, the entire Xue family was apprehended, and Xue's father was given eighty strokes of the rod, ultimately losing his life. Although Xue, the divine physician, was still a young adult and had not yet practiced medicine, he was also sentenced to exile in Lingnan.
Father
At this moment, the sky is darkening, and the setting sun casts a slanting light. Among the mountains and forests, the old crows caw, urging the young birds to return to their nests. Li Chongjiu, holding a short knife, reveals a silhouette on the hillside, cutting meat methodically while wiping away the blood from his hands.
Li Chongjiu looked at Li Hu's expression. He had just learned about Li Hu's illness, which had accumulated over several years. In addition to inviting Doctor Xue, he had also sought the help of many renowned physicians from nearby areas to treat him, but all had been at a loss. Li Chongjiu understood Doctor Xue's anger towards him; for many years, Doctor Xue had traveled through the northern desert and Liaodong in search of medicinal materials that could complement each other, hoping to cure Li Hu's stubborn ailment. However, this had not been accomplished, and Li Chongjiu had prematurely squandered the life-saving medicine.
Looking down at the goat, Li Chongjiu estimated that it weighed at least seventy to eighty pounds, which could be considered a bountiful harvest. However, if he were to drag it back to the mountain stronghold, it would surely consume a lot of energy along the way. Therefore, Li Chongjiu drew the short knife from his waist and killed the goat on the spot to take the meat
Li Chongjiu went to fetch two sets of chopsticks and bowls, and placed a large earthenware pot that Wang Mahang's wife had prepared for him on the table, lifting the lid. Instantly, the aroma of ginseng, ginger slices, and mixed lamb wafted out. Indeed, Wang Mahang's wife was skilled in the culinary arts; a layer of golden oil floated atop the soup, while the lamb was fragrant and tender, yet not overcooked.
At this point, Doctor Xue cast a glance at Li Chongjiu, who had just entered, and continued, "This pill is not easy to make; it requires the use of sea cucumbers from Liao, a millennium-old treasure. Although it cannot bring the dead back to life, its efficacy can indeed temporarily retain the three souls and seven spirits for a moment."
Li Chongjiu spoke while plunging his head in, using a knife to scrape the bones
This time, Li Chongjiu was severely injured and coughed up blood, lying in bed. At that moment, Physician Xue was traveling outside and could not be summoned in time. However, Li Hu took out a life-saving pill that Physician Xue had given him earlier and administered it to Li Chongjiu, which ultimately saved his life
As the cradle slowly rose, Li Hu glanced at the leg of lamb behind Li Chongjiu and smiled, "Did you hunt this today?"
Li Chongjiu could not help but feel a wave of warmth, and this sense of familial affection involuntarily called out. The leader of Qianqian Village, Li Hu, upon hearing this, turned around with a map in hand and saw the worry on Li Chongjiu's face transform into joy. Li Hu nodded slightly at Li Chongjiu, and after a moment of silence, without any hint of reproach, he simply said in a gentle and calm manner: "Remember to come back early in the future"
Li Chongjiu brought a small portion of lamb and another pile of ingredients to Wang Mahans home, asking Wang Mahans wife to prepare them. Li Chongjiu and Wang Mahan then enjoyed wine with broad beans. After a while, the usually heavy-drinking Wang Mahan was already drunk and collapsed onto the bed, while Li Chongjiu only felt slightly tipsy. Wang Mahans wife then served a large earthenware pot of lamb soup. After taking it, Li Chongjiu left some cured fish and cured meat before returning home.
After Li Hu injured his lung, he often coughed at midnight over the past few years. Li Chongjiu sent over mutton, demonstrating his filial piety. Upon hearing this, Li Hu nodded, his face filled with gratitude, and he fell silent.
After preparing the goat, Li Chongjiu took out a grass bag to wrap the cut meat, while the remaining pieces were stored in the peeled goat skin. He then used several vines to securely tie the two hind legs together and hung them over his shoulder as he began his ascent back to the mountain. At nightfall in Qianshan, wolves roamed, and even during the day, fierce tigers and leopards could occasionally be seen. This was thirteen hundred years ago, when wild beasts were still prevalent in Shanxi. Therefore, Li Chongjiu was unwilling to take the risk of lingering any longer. He left behind some remnants and carried his harvest straight up to the mountain stronghold.
The mountain bandits were also quite straightforward, returning gifts of cured fish, cured meat, and fragrant mushrooms. Li Chongjiu found it difficult to decline and accepted them all at once.
From the recent hunting expedition, Li Chongjiu felt that his archery skills had improved. It seems that hunting is indeed an effective way to enhance martial skills, which explains why the tribes of the grasslands utilize hunting to practice military tactics and formations
The goat gradually lost its breath, and Li Chongjiu did not expect that on his first hunting trip, he would catch such a large prey
Beneath a tree, the goat, struck by an arrow, lay on the ground of www.hetushu.com, its limbs curled, its body heaving violently with each breath, tongue extended, short tail trembling, while blood gushed from its neck. Witnessing its painful struggle, Li Chongjiu stepped forward to hold the goat's eyes and made a swift cut to its throat to let it bleed.
The short knife served the role of a butcher's knife. Li Chongjiu first removed several legs of lamb, and then he began to carve the meat from the bones. When he traveled to Inner Mongolia, he had tasted the hand-pulled mutton prepared by the local herdsmen, so Li Chongjiu was somewhat familiar with the process. This goat was fresh, plump, and robust; aside from the discarded entrails, there were still many edible pieces of meat.
Li Chongjiu nodded and said: "Indeed, fresh lamb is just right for making soup, which can alleviate wind-cold and cough"
"The sheep is a great beauty (Note 1)." Li Chongjiu, while cutting meat, smiled and said to himself, "The ancients must have also felt joy in hunting, just like I do, when they harvested delicious food, which is why the character for 'beauty' came to have such a meaning."
Li Hu nodded with a smile, while Doctor Xue let out a soft hum, turning his head away, clearly showing his disdain for this young master.
Note 1: The character '美' is explained in the Shuowen Jiezi as 'when a sheep is large, it is beautiful'
Li Chongjiu knew that his father had been waiting here for a long time. He lowered his head, feeling a warmth in his heart, and with a hint of guilt, he said: "Yes, what you said is true, Father." Li Hu smiled and shook his head, and together with Li Chongjiu, they sat in the basket to return.
At that time, after exhausting three years of effort, only ten pills were produced in total. The last three pills remaining in hand were all given to the leader, to ensure that you would have life-saving medicine available in case of an illness. Now, elder brother, you have given all three pills to Xiao Jiu, which means that when the illness strikes, you will have to endure it alone, and it will significantly shorten your lifespan
After running for nearly half a mile, Li Chongjiu was slightly out of breath. The goat that had been shot and injured had long since disappeared without a trace. However, the blood that dripped along the grass and between the trees served as the best guide for him. After quickly crossing a ravine, Li Chongjiu finally found his target
As night was approaching and the sky had darkened, Li Chongjiu finally managed to sneak back into Qiqian Village. Two lanterns were lit at the entrance of the village. Although it was difficult to see clearly in the darkness, a faint light emanated from the lanterns, illuminating Li Chongjiu's eyes with a brightness that radiated the warmth of a traveler returning home
Li Chongjiu said: "Doctor Xue, you just mentioned that there is a person who has become a monk at Zhifu Temple, who might be able to cure my father's stubborn illness?"
After a moment of deep thought, Doctor Xue released his hand and said: "Chief, your illness stems from an injury to the lungs sustained during a confrontation. Not only has it disrupted your cultivation, but years of inadequate care have compounded the issue, making it difficult to eradicate. The three life-saving pills I initially left for you are merely a temporary solution, addressing the symptoms rather than the root cause, and can only alleviate your immediate distress"
Li Hu also saw Li Chongjiu and quickly said: "Third brother, my health has not yet reached this point. In recent years, I have not engaged in combat with others, nor have I approached women, and I have indeed improved a lot"
Li Chongjiu stood to the side, observing as Doctor Xue was checking Li Hu's pulse. He noticed that Doctor Xue's brow was furrowed, and he kept pinching the long beard on his chin.
The Hu Cheng, also known as the Chuan Ling, is commonly carried by itinerant doctors. It consists of a copper ring containing iron pellets. When the itinerant doctor travels to various places to practice medicine, he inserts his index and middle fingers into the center of the copper ring and shakes it up and down. This way, the common people are alerted to the presence of the itinerant doctor, and those with sick family members can seek his medical assistance
However, an unexpected guest arrived at the house. Li Chongjiu stood at the door and saw Li Hu sitting together with a man holding a tiger-headed cane.
This action is extremely bloody, yet filled with beauty. It represents the transition between life and death. Just as in American blockbusters, when hunters say to their prey, "Your soul will be with God, and your flesh will become part of us." However, Li Chongjiu does not indulge in such superfluous words